Government of Yukon and Chiefs Committee on Health announce initial board for new Health Authority

Press Release

Aug 08, 2025

This is a joint news release between the Government of Yukon and the Chiefs Committee on Health.

The Government of Yukon and the Chiefs Committee on Health have announced the appointment of the initial board for Shäw Kwä’ą / Health and Wellness Yukon / Santé et mieux-être Yukon (Shäw Kwä’ą), the new health authority.

The newly appointed board members bring a diverse range of expertise, experience and skills in governance, health care, financial stewardship, First Nations knowledge and experience, cultural safety, community engagement and lived experience. Together, they will lead the work to establish a culturally safe, community-focused, patient-centred, workforce-supportive, innovative and efficient health care system for all Yukoners.

Initial board members are:

Stephen Mills, chair;
Alisa Alexander, member;
Edmund Tan, member;
Georgina MacDonald, member;
Inga Petri, member;
Jill Charlie, member; and
Maisie Smith, member.

Board members were selected through a joint process led by the Government of Yukon and the Chiefs Committee on Health. A review committee assessed applicants based on their competencies, skills, experience and how well they reflect the Yukon’s diversity.

This initial board will lead the work to develop Shäw Kwä’ą, support the implementation of foundational agreements and oversee the phased transfer of services from the Department of Health and Social Services and Yukon Hospital Corporation.

The creation of Shäw Kwä’ą marks a major milestone in years of collaboration between the Government of Yukon, Yukon First Nations, Yukon Hospital Corporation and health partners. Establishing a health authority is a proven and effective way to modernize health care, improve outcomes and build a system that works better for all Yukoners. This is an important step toward a more coordinated, culturally safe patient-centred and inclusive health system that reflects the needs and strengths of Yukon communities.

Appointing the initial board of Shäw Kwä’ą is a pivotal step toward establishing a health authority for Yukoners. It reflects years of hard work and collaboration between Yukon First Nations, the Yukon Hospital Corporation and the Government of Yukon to bring the vision of the 2020 Putting People First report to life. This is a highly skilled and dedicated group and I have full confidence they will lay a strong foundation for Shäw Kwä’ą – one that makes health care more connected, compassionate and culturally safe for everyone in the territory.

Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee

We are excited to be announcing the appointments of the first members of the board for Shäw Kwä’ą. We trust this group of individuals to lead the next stage of work to bring Shäw Kwä’ą from a vision to a reality. This is a historic landmark in health transformation work for the Yukon and one step closer on our collective journey to making care more culturally safe, integrated and supportive for all Yukoners.

Chiefs Committee on Health Co-Chair Pauline Frost

Quick facts

The initial board will oversee the creation of the Yukon’s new health authority over the next several years, including setting priorities, building partnerships and supporting the transfer of services.
Board member terms are set for two, three and four years, allowing some members to support the transition to operationalization and continue their service.
Applications were assessed based on how well they demonstrated the desired competencies and how they represent the Yukon’s cultural, linguistic, regional and gender diversity.
The name “Shäw Kwä’ą” means “all is well, all is good” in Southern Tutchone, symbolizing a holistic approach to health and wellness.
The establishment of a health authority was a core recommendation of the 2020 Putting People First report, developed through extensive engagement with Yukoners.
The Health Authority Act provides the legislative foundation for the creation of the Yukon’s health authority. The Act was co-developed by the Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations with support from the Yukon Hospital Corporation.
The Health Authority Act defines the mandate of the initial board and sets out how health system partners will continue to work together to collaborate in building a better health care system.
Establishing a health authority in the Yukon is the next step in modernizing the territory’s health system. Health authorities are the standard model across Canada, all but one other jurisdiction have transitioned services into health authorities to improve coordination, accountability and outcomes.

Media contact

Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
laura.seeley@yukon.ca

Nigel Allan
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-332-9573
nigel.allan@yukon.ca

Anna Claire Ryan
Council of Yukon First Nations
anna.ryan@cyfn.net

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